Mon, July 7: Arrival in Athens

We get into Athens around 4:30 PM after the Emirates Business Class flight from New York. Our driver Nikos picks us up and takes us to our Airbnb at Τσάμη Καρατάσου 78. We’re planning to walk to Aerides Plaka for dinner, and if we’re not too jet-lagged, maybe catch a movie at Cine Paris with the Acropolis in the background.

Tue, July 8: Acropolis and Plaka

Today we’re hitting the big stuff – the Acropolis and Parthenon. We’ll start with breakfast at Takis Bakery, do the tourist thing at the ancient sites, grab gyros for lunch, then wander around Plaka. If the kids aren’t completely wiped out, we’ve got tickets for the 8:25 PM movie at Cine Thisio.

Wed, July 9: Ferry to Santorini

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Early morning – Nikos picks us up at 6:00 AM for the 7:25 AM ferry to Santorini. After the ferry ride across the Aegean, we arrive around 2:30 PM, grab our CarHub rental, and check into Vedema Resort in Megalochori (we got 2 Dorian Suites). Time to see what all the Santorini fuss is about.

Thu, July 10: Santorini Island Life

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We’ve got lunch at Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna and swimming at Akta Ions planned. Dinner is at 7:45 PM at Kokobar on the rooftop – supposedly great for watching the sunset. The resort includes breakfast, so at least we don’t have to figure that out every morning.

Fri, July 11: Last Day on the Island

We’re checking out the medieval village of Pyrgos Kallistis and its castle, then having lunch at Brusco or Franco’s. Later we’ll drive the caldera edge from Fira to Firostefani and hike to Skaros Rock in Imerovigli for sunset. Dinner at Anogi Restaurant, then we say goodbye to Greece tomorrow.

Sat, July 12: Berlin with Doreen

Flying from Santorini to Berlin to stay with our friend Doreen. She’s a local, so we’re letting her show us around her city instead of doing the typical tourist stuff. Should be interesting to see Berlin through someone who actually lives there.

Sun, July 13: Berlin with a Local

No real agenda today – just following Doreen around Berlin. Maybe the East Side Gallery, maybe Tiergarten Park, maybe some place we’ve never heard of. That’s the benefit of having a local guide who knows what’s actually worth seeing.

Mon, July 14: Berlin to the Alps

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Flight from Berlin gets us to Zurich at 8:30 AM. From there, we’re taking trains to Interlaken Ost, stopping for lunch at Bistro Pier One and a Lake Brienz boat cruise (free with Swiss Travel Pass). Then on to Grindelwald where we’re staying at Nirggenstrasse 6. Dinner at Avocado Bar to wrap up our first day in the mountains.

Tue, July 15: Grindelwald Adventure Day

This is the day the kids have been looking forward to. We’re taking the gondola up to Grindelwald First for the Cliff Walk and a hike to Bachalpsee Lake. Then we get to race down the mountain on carts, play at the alpine playground, and finish with Trottibike scooters all the way back to town. Should be epic.

Wed, July 16: Lauterbrunnen Valley

We’re exploring the valley with 72 waterfalls. Starting with a swim at Wengen outdoor pool, then trains to the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor. We’ll take cable cars up to the car-free village of Mürren, maybe the Allmendhubel funicular to the flower park, and check out Gimmelwald with its famous Honesty Shop.

Thu, July 17: Lucerne and on to Chur

Taking the scenic Luzern–Interlaken Express to Lucerne. We’ll store our bags at the station, have lunch at Rathaus Brauerei, and check out the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. Then train to Chur to check into EH Apartments Neptun. Dinner at Calanda micro-brewery.

Fri, July 18: Bernina Route to Italy

The big train day. We’re taking the 10:58 AM train on the UNESCO World Heritage Bernina Line through the mountains. Stop in Pontresina for lunch, then continue into Italy, arriving in Tirano around 3:30 PM. We’ll be staying at Via Fossola 25 and have dinner reservations at Ristorante Parravicini.

Sat, July 19: High-Speed Rail to Rome

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Bus from Tirano to Lecco, then train to Milano Centrale for lunch. At 1:30 PM we board the Frecciarossa 9633 in Business Class (Coach 2) for Rome. Get in at 4:40 PM, taxi to our Trastevere Airbnb at Via del Mattonato 16, then find some actual Roman food for dinner.

Sun, July 20: Roman Food Tour

We’re going to 11:00 AM Mass at Santa Maria in Trastevere, then grabbing lunch at Trapizzino Trilussa for some Roman street food. At 5:30 PM we have a Trastevere & Tiber Island Food Tour with Bruno – supplì, pizza al taglio, cured meats, wine, and gelato. The tour ends near our Airbnb, so that’s convenient.

Mon, July 21: Colosseum and Ancient Rome

1:30 PM guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Meeting at Crown Tours office above Colosseo Metro Station. After that we can wander around, hit the Trevi Fountain, maybe see the Pantheon. Basically the Rome greatest hits.

Tue, July 22: Vatican

1:30 PM Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tour (Order No: 2L0ZC1OP0W5O6XOMO). We need to dress appropriately and arrive early for security. After seeing Michelangelo’s work, maybe we’ll walk over to St. Peter’s Square for sunset.

Wed, July 23: Rome to Venice

9:35 AM train from Rome Termini gets us to Venice Santa Lucia at 1:34 PM. Check into our place, then spend the afternoon figuring out how to navigate without drowning. Dinner somewhere along a canal.

Thu, July 24: Venice to Paris

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Morning in Venice – St. Mark’s Square, the basilica, Doge’s Palace. Then we head to the airport for dinner in the first-class lounge and our flight to Paris. We get in around 11:00 PM at our Airbnb near Disneyland in Serris.

Fri, July 25: Disneyland Paris

Disneyland day. We have tickets for both parks and we’re staying close enough to walk, so the kids should be happy. Rides, shows, fireworks – the whole Disney thing but in French.

Sat, July 26: Moving to Versailles Area

Checking out of the Serris place and moving to the Dolce by Wyndham Versailles hotel (if our hosted stay gets confirmed). Not much planned besides settling in and maybe exploring the hotel grounds or finding a good restaurant in Versailles.

Sun, July 27: Paris Sightseeing

The classic Paris day – Eiffel Tower (going up for the views), Seine River cruise, checking out the Louvre from the outside, and Montmartre with Sacré-Cœur. Basically hitting all the stuff you’re supposed to see in Paris.

Mon, July 28: Eurostar to London

11:32 AM Eurostar from Paris gets us to London St Pancras at 1:00 PM (Coach 10, we’re all sitting together). Checking into The Notting Hill Nest Airbnb – 2 bedrooms with a private backyard, hosts Charlotte and Matt. Evening plans include exploring Notting Hill and maybe catching a movie at the Electric Cinema.

Tue, July 29: Cotswolds Day Trip

Full-day tour to the Cotswolds. We’ll hit Burford, Bibury (lunch at The Swan Hotel), Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Sarah’s been wanting to see the English countryside, so this should check that box.

Wed, July 30: London Classics

10:00 AM Changing of the Guard tour (meeting at Victoria Palace Theatre under the clock with the yellow umbrella guide). Evening is MJ the Musical at Prince Edward Theatre, 7:30 PM (Order ID: TFC0G9M).

Thu, July 31: Cambridge Day Trip

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Last full day – guided trip to Cambridge. We’ll see the colleges, try punting on the River Cam, and soak up some of that academic atmosphere. Then back to London for a final dinner and packing.

Fri, Aug 1: Going Home

9:35 AM Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flight from London Heathrow to JFK. Then we transfer to LaGuardia for the Delta flight to Cincinnati, landing around 9:20 PM. 26 days, 6 countries, and probably way too much money spent, but should be worth it.